Home Gym - 5x5
Discussion
I started another thread about joining a gym with the aim of bulking up. However, having not yet made any payment at the gym and the discovery that they don't really have all the equipment i may need (more machines than free weights), I am toying with the idea of putting a home gym in the garage at the new house I am due to move to. The garage will be 17ft x 10ft.
Would I be correct in thinking that the equipment needed for the 5x5 programme is this?:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/POWERTEC-POWER-BARBELL-WEIGH...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Powerline-Folding-Barbell-Du...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Olympic-145kg-Bar-bell-Dumbb...
Quite pricey but it would last a lifetime and eventually pay for itself in comparison to gym membership, plus it is right there when you want it and don't have to wait for people to finish what they are doing etc.
Would I be correct in thinking that the equipment needed for the 5x5 programme is this?:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/POWERTEC-POWER-BARBELL-WEIGH...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Powerline-Folding-Barbell-Du...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Olympic-145kg-Bar-bell-Dumbb...
Quite pricey but it would last a lifetime and eventually pay for itself in comparison to gym membership, plus it is right there when you want it and don't have to wait for people to finish what they are doing etc.
I know having the kit at home seems more convenient that going to a gym, and it's relatively easy to get enough kit togetehr to do the main muscle groups, but really id recommend getting down the gym if you want proper inspiration to work hard and progress.
Getting into the general population in the gym will give you exposure to different routines and allow you to try a multitude of different routines on different machines, and providing they have free weights like dumbells up to 40kg's and some benchs for bench press, you can use the cable machines for a lot of your workout anyway.
There's something about the motiviation of working out in an environment which is somewaht competitive, despite what most people say you'll see someone around your size bench pressing a certain amount, and you'll put that amout in your head as a goal, certainly for me gym is inspiring and I wouldnt push myself anywhere near as hard if I just went into my garage at home.
I forsee the home equipment becoming an elaborate clothes line before long, have you had a walk around the gym? let us know basically what kit they have in there.
Getting into the general population in the gym will give you exposure to different routines and allow you to try a multitude of different routines on different machines, and providing they have free weights like dumbells up to 40kg's and some benchs for bench press, you can use the cable machines for a lot of your workout anyway.
There's something about the motiviation of working out in an environment which is somewaht competitive, despite what most people say you'll see someone around your size bench pressing a certain amount, and you'll put that amout in your head as a goal, certainly for me gym is inspiring and I wouldnt push myself anywhere near as hard if I just went into my garage at home.
I forsee the home equipment becoming an elaborate clothes line before long, have you had a walk around the gym? let us know basically what kit they have in there.
Edited by Tokoloshe on Monday 27th July 13:58
Working out at home isnt for everyone.
Ive got a setup in my garage, i dont find motivation a problem at all, but some have an issue with it.
If you do go ahead with buying some kit, dont buy any of what youve posted links too, its what you want, but you dont need to pay those prices.
Cage - http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-standa...
Bench - I cant find anything decent at the moment. I know somewhere was selling a fixed bench for £30 not long ago.
Weights - keep an eye on ebay and small ads, second hand is the way i`d go, they are very expensive new.
I`d probably recomend trying to find a good harcore little gym, they are hard to track down, but are the best places to train, and dont have knob heads in them. Council gyms are also worth a try, well equiped and cheap.
Ive got a setup in my garage, i dont find motivation a problem at all, but some have an issue with it.
If you do go ahead with buying some kit, dont buy any of what youve posted links too, its what you want, but you dont need to pay those prices.
Cage - http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-standa...
Bench - I cant find anything decent at the moment. I know somewhere was selling a fixed bench for £30 not long ago.
Weights - keep an eye on ebay and small ads, second hand is the way i`d go, they are very expensive new.
I`d probably recomend trying to find a good harcore little gym, they are hard to track down, but are the best places to train, and dont have knob heads in them. Council gyms are also worth a try, well equiped and cheap.
the only home gyms that work (and they can be an old dumbell or a £10,00 set up) are those owned by people who are HUGELY motivated. If that aint you, get down the "proper" gym. (tip - you can tell if you are hugely motivated because if you are you would be working out not faffing about asking questions 
)
)OP: Something that has not been addressed is the 5x5 method you mentioned in your post.
This method is productive when applied correctly with the right amount of effort (which, to avoid confusion is more than 100%). However, 5x5 is really concerned with basic, multijoint exercises done with very heavy weights. Typical 5x5 exercises would be Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift, Clean & Press, Barbell Row, Barbell Shrugs, etc.
There are several problems herein to concern you:
1) I'm assuming you have little or no previous weightlifting experience. As such, I really cannot state strongly enough that whilst the exercises may look simple there is an awful lot more to them than meets the eye. I'm not trying to be condescending, but these 'simple' exercises take a long time to get to grips with, and everyone needs a reminder on their form now and again.
2) If you're only going to be doing 5 reps you're going to be shifting relatively large amounts of weight. What would you do if you're bench pressing alone at home and you get stuck? A spotter is going to be a necessity, as well as a very powerful motivational tool.
3) You're going to have very little in the way of encouragement, stimulation or challenge at home.
If you're going to train 5x5 get ready to train very, very hard!
Best,
Animal
This method is productive when applied correctly with the right amount of effort (which, to avoid confusion is more than 100%). However, 5x5 is really concerned with basic, multijoint exercises done with very heavy weights. Typical 5x5 exercises would be Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift, Clean & Press, Barbell Row, Barbell Shrugs, etc.
There are several problems herein to concern you:
1) I'm assuming you have little or no previous weightlifting experience. As such, I really cannot state strongly enough that whilst the exercises may look simple there is an awful lot more to them than meets the eye. I'm not trying to be condescending, but these 'simple' exercises take a long time to get to grips with, and everyone needs a reminder on their form now and again.
2) If you're only going to be doing 5 reps you're going to be shifting relatively large amounts of weight. What would you do if you're bench pressing alone at home and you get stuck? A spotter is going to be a necessity, as well as a very powerful motivational tool.
3) You're going to have very little in the way of encouragement, stimulation or challenge at home.
If you're going to train 5x5 get ready to train very, very hard!
Best,
Animal
Animal said:
OP: Something that has not been addressed is the 5x5 method you mentioned in your post.
This method is productive when applied correctly with the right amount of effort (which, to avoid confusion is more than 100%). However, 5x5 is really concerned with basic, multijoint exercises done with very heavy weights. Typical 5x5 exercises would be Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift, Clean & Press, Barbell Row, Barbell Shrugs, etc.
There are several problems herein to concern you:
1) I'm assuming you have little or no previous weightlifting experience. As such, I really cannot state strongly enough that whilst the exercises may look simple there is an awful lot more to them than meets the eye. I'm not trying to be condescending, but these 'simple' exercises take a long time to get to grips with, and everyone needs a reminder on their form now and again.
2) If you're only going to be doing 5 reps you're going to be shifting relatively large amounts of weight. What would you do if you're bench pressing alone at home and you get stuck? A spotter is going to be a necessity, as well as a very powerful motivational tool.
3) You're going to have very little in the way of encouragement, stimulation or challenge at home.
If you're going to train 5x5 get ready to train very, very hard!
Best,
Animal
Interesting stuff that, thanks.This method is productive when applied correctly with the right amount of effort (which, to avoid confusion is more than 100%). However, 5x5 is really concerned with basic, multijoint exercises done with very heavy weights. Typical 5x5 exercises would be Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift, Clean & Press, Barbell Row, Barbell Shrugs, etc.
There are several problems herein to concern you:
1) I'm assuming you have little or no previous weightlifting experience. As such, I really cannot state strongly enough that whilst the exercises may look simple there is an awful lot more to them than meets the eye. I'm not trying to be condescending, but these 'simple' exercises take a long time to get to grips with, and everyone needs a reminder on their form now and again.
2) If you're only going to be doing 5 reps you're going to be shifting relatively large amounts of weight. What would you do if you're bench pressing alone at home and you get stuck? A spotter is going to be a necessity, as well as a very powerful motivational tool.
3) You're going to have very little in the way of encouragement, stimulation or challenge at home.
If you're going to train 5x5 get ready to train very, very hard!
Best,
Animal
Motivation is not a problem.
But what you say about needing a spotter could well be a problem although there is likely to be someone around to help out.
lord-of-creation said:
Animal said:
OP: Something that has not been addressed is the 5x5 method you mentioned in your post.
This method is productive when applied correctly with the right amount of effort (which, to avoid confusion is more than 100%). However, 5x5 is really concerned with basic, multijoint exercises done with very heavy weights. Typical 5x5 exercises would be Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift, Clean & Press, Barbell Row, Barbell Shrugs, etc.
There are several problems herein to concern you:
1) I'm assuming you have little or no previous weightlifting experience. As such, I really cannot state strongly enough that whilst the exercises may look simple there is an awful lot more to them than meets the eye. I'm not trying to be condescending, but these 'simple' exercises take a long time to get to grips with, and everyone needs a reminder on their form now and again.
2) If you're only going to be doing 5 reps you're going to be shifting relatively large amounts of weight. What would you do if you're bench pressing alone at home and you get stuck? A spotter is going to be a necessity, as well as a very powerful motivational tool.
3) You're going to have very little in the way of encouragement, stimulation or challenge at home.
If you're going to train 5x5 get ready to train very, very hard!
Best,
Animal
Interesting stuff that, thanks.This method is productive when applied correctly with the right amount of effort (which, to avoid confusion is more than 100%). However, 5x5 is really concerned with basic, multijoint exercises done with very heavy weights. Typical 5x5 exercises would be Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift, Clean & Press, Barbell Row, Barbell Shrugs, etc.
There are several problems herein to concern you:
1) I'm assuming you have little or no previous weightlifting experience. As such, I really cannot state strongly enough that whilst the exercises may look simple there is an awful lot more to them than meets the eye. I'm not trying to be condescending, but these 'simple' exercises take a long time to get to grips with, and everyone needs a reminder on their form now and again.
2) If you're only going to be doing 5 reps you're going to be shifting relatively large amounts of weight. What would you do if you're bench pressing alone at home and you get stuck? A spotter is going to be a necessity, as well as a very powerful motivational tool.
3) You're going to have very little in the way of encouragement, stimulation or challenge at home.
If you're going to train 5x5 get ready to train very, very hard!
Best,
Animal
Motivation is not a problem.
But what you say about needing a spotter could well be a problem although there is likely to be someone around to help out.
Im doing 5x5 at the minute and you do have to go to failure to make it really effective.
With regards benching with big weights and no spotter, when there's no one about to spot what I do is roll a bench into the squatting machine area, it has two horizontal arms so I roll the bench between these and the bar sits just above the chest. Takes a bit of a squeeze to get under the bar, but once there you start your push from a position with the bar at your chest, it's a b
h of a first push but afetr that you can get your reps out without worrying if you cant complete one, you simply drop it onto the arms.
You could maybe rig yourself something similar, so rest the bar on something that leaves it near your chest, then push up from that.
Im motiviated but still found a home gym a non starter for me, hopefully it's different for you but for some reason they all seem to end up going cheap on ebay after about a month (except for mine which I coudlnt get anyone to collect so ended up dumping the whole thing bit by bit!! what a waste of money
)
With regards benching with big weights and no spotter, when there's no one about to spot what I do is roll a bench into the squatting machine area, it has two horizontal arms so I roll the bench between these and the bar sits just above the chest. Takes a bit of a squeeze to get under the bar, but once there you start your push from a position with the bar at your chest, it's a b
h of a first push but afetr that you can get your reps out without worrying if you cant complete one, you simply drop it onto the arms.You could maybe rig yourself something similar, so rest the bar on something that leaves it near your chest, then push up from that.
Im motiviated but still found a home gym a non starter for me, hopefully it's different for you but for some reason they all seem to end up going cheap on ebay after about a month (except for mine which I coudlnt get anyone to collect so ended up dumping the whole thing bit by bit!! what a waste of money
)Dont know if anyones noticed, but the OP intents to get a cage, in which case theres absolutely no need for a spotter if your lifting remotely sensibly.
I think 5x5 is good for someone new to training, i`d recomend a couple of weeks getting your form nailed on every exercise before doing it. Do this by doing a set, video it, and make the necessary changes.
Also, instead of doing it based on a 5 rep max, you could work it as a linear progression, pick a weight you can do for 5x5 really comfortably, then add 2.5kg a week untill you stall, with you being a newbie, it should take a while.
Another benifit of this, is theres not really much chance of sacraficing form for weight shifted, it gives you plenty of time to get your form nailed.
I think 5x5 is good for someone new to training, i`d recomend a couple of weeks getting your form nailed on every exercise before doing it. Do this by doing a set, video it, and make the necessary changes.
Also, instead of doing it based on a 5 rep max, you could work it as a linear progression, pick a weight you can do for 5x5 really comfortably, then add 2.5kg a week untill you stall, with you being a newbie, it should take a while.
Another benifit of this, is theres not really much chance of sacraficing form for weight shifted, it gives you plenty of time to get your form nailed.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff